Global Folded Boxes Market - 2024-2031

Overview

Global Folded Boxes Market reached US$ 150.1 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 211.8 billion by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

The practice of counterfeiting is a high-volume, high-profit enterprise that violates on intellectual property rights, medical regulations and other criminal laws. Medicine counterfeiting is a global threat that necessitates efficient prevention strategies. Counterfeiting is the knowing deception of a pharmaceutical product's qualities, provenance and the purposeful avoidance of legally mandated regulatory processes.

As a result, numerous industry participants are adding 2D matrix codes into folding packaging for medications. For example, CCL Label Montreal created a serialized folding carton packaging system that allows for 100% electronic verification of each folded box's print quality. At the end of the inspection process, an analysis would be generated that included the final results of all accepted and rejected boxes. The end result would be a unique and genuine 100% electronic print inspection technology developed for the folded boxes market.

In 2023, Europe is expected to be hold about 1/4th of the global folded boxes market. Companies are increasing their footprint in order to gain a significant market share. AR Packaging expands its service to UK food and healthcare customers in 2021 by acquiring Firstan Holdings Ltd and its subsidiary Firstan Limited, which produces folding cartons locally. The strategy positions the Group as a significant multi-category provider of folding cartons, flexibles and fibre-based containers in UK.

Dynamics

Rising Demand for Online Food Delivery

The food & beverage industry is a large market for folded boxes, with rising customer demand for fast food, ready-to-eat meals and on-the-go snacks. Folded boxes are used to package a variety of food goods, including cereals, bakery items, frozen foods & beverages, providing protective and hygienic packaging options that increase shelf life and retain product freshness.

COVID-19 increased consumption of frozen foods in nations like as India and these eating patterns are predicted to persist despite the decline in cases. In accordance to the Economic Times, the value of online meal delivery in the country is predicted to grow from US$ 2.9 billion in 2020 to US$ 12.8 billion by 2025. The ban on plastic alternatives has also led to a rise in demand for folding cartons for packing frozen foods.

Growing Demand for Sustainable Packaging

Consumers' increasing environmental consciousness, along with legislative constraints to decrease carbon footprints, has resulted in a boom in demand for sustainable packaging solutions. Folded boxes, which are frequently produced from recyclable or biodegradable materials like paperboard or corrugated board, are viewed as environmentally beneficial alternatives to traditional packaging options, resulting in their widespread adoption across industries.

In UK, the plastic tax, which went into effect in April 2022 (taxing any plastic packaging that did not contain at least 30% recycled plastic), is expected to boost demand for paper-based packaging as frozen food businesses and manufacturers migrate. Suzano reports that carton board consumption reached 54 million tons in 2022 and is expected to climb by 12 million tons in 2032. Demand for carton boards will boost market demand during the forecast period.

Price Sensitivity and Presence of Alternatives

Price sensitivity among customers and enterprises limit the use of folded boxes, particularly in price-sensitive sectors or industries with poor profit margins. Cost pressures on folded boxes include fluctuations in raw material prices, labor costs and energy expenses, all of which can have an impact on producers' profitability and pricing strategies. Folded boxes compete with numerous other packaging methods such as flexible packaging, rigid containers and pouches.

The alternatives provide advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, convenience and shelf-life extension for certain products, offering a challenge to the expansion of the folded box market. Moisture, handling or stacking during transit can all cause harm to the goods, compromising its integrity. Manufacturers must balance the necessity for protective packaging with considerations of sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Segment Analysis

The global folded boxes market is segmented based on type, material, end-user and region.

Rising Demand for Frozen Food Drives the Segment Growth

Food and beverages are expected to be the dominant segment with over 30% of the market during the forecast period 2024-2031. The changing consumer lifestyles and increased demand for ready-to-eat, frozen and packaged foods have propelled the growth of the food and beverage industry, which is driving the folding cartons market. According to U.S. Census Bureau, the industrial income from frozen food manufacturing in U.S. was US$ 33.86 billion in 2021 and is predicted to reach US$ 36.59 billion by 2024.

In May 2023, Stora Enso, a Finnish manufacturer, introduced Tambrite Aqua+, a new recyclable packaging board. It is suitable for packing both refrigerated and frozen foods. The use of polymers made from fossil fuels has been reduced with the help of this folding boxboard solution. It is naturally recycled and will contribute to the development of the circular economy in general. Such advancements enhanced the strategic operations in the food market, driving segment growth.

Geographical Penetration

Growing Focus on Sustainable Packaging in Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is the dominant region in the global folded boxes market covering more than 35% of the market. The region concentrated on sustainable and reusable packaging to combat global warming and comply with the government's proposed environmental protection act. Furthermore, according to the company Oizuru, the collection rate for boxes in Japan can reach 95%, with a recycling rate of 90% at corrugated cardboard facilities, prompting manufacturers to cut costs and boost processing capacity.

There have also been a number of developments, such as product innovations and market expansion by suppliers. For example, in March 2022, Heidelberg increased its portfolio of in-mold label and folding carton production by signing a distribution deal with Japanese manufacturer AN Corporation for the Kawahara TXS-1100 and Kawahara BMS-1100 automated post-press systems.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include WestRock Company, Georgia-Pacific, International Paper, Amcor plc, Sonoco Products Company, DS Smith, Smurfit Kappa, Mondi, Stora Enso and Pactiv Evergreen Inc.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

Multiple global lockdowns have caused changes in consumer behavior and shopping habits, leading to a 46% growth in e-commerce. The increase in online buying during the COVID-19 epidemic has resulted in more packing deliveries than ever before, all of which must urgently keep up with market demand. As a result, the demand for folded boxes is always increasing and they may safely protect items under any delivery conditions.

A trend has been observed in which governments of several jurisdictions make it legal to utilize paper and cardboard packaging instead of plastic bags. COVID has made people aware of the significant downsides of plastic packaging. It interrupts hygiene and might be harmful to one's health. Paper and cardboard packaging are in trend and liked by 95% of the market's consumers, which is expected to operate as a positive factor for the growth of folded boxes.

AI Impact Analysis

Artificial intelligence has emerged as a creative catalyst, allowing marketers to create not only ordinary, but spectacular labels and folding boxes. With AI, marketers can now create packaging that sticks out among the clutter of store aisles, relying on the unusual and eye-catching to capture consumer attention. Furthermore, AI enables the creation of personalized experiences targeted to certain target populations, opening up new channels for brand engagement.

AI can create smart packaging with sensors to monitor temperature, humidity and other environmental factors. The data can be utilized to guarantee that products are stored and transported in the best conditions. AI design can also create tamper-proof packaging, which means it cannot be opened without prior authorization and is resistant to theft.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact

Russia and Ukraine are major manufacturers of raw materials for folded box production, including paperboard, corrugated board and plastics. Any interruptions in the supply of these supplies due to the conflict, such as transportation delays, export restrictions or manufacturing shutdowns, might impact the availability and pricing of inputs for folded box producers globally, leading to supply chain disruptions and increased production costs.

Russian invasion harmed the pulp and paper industry by putting strain on an already unstable supply chain. It caused a shortage of various grades of paper across the board. According to the Kyiv School of Economics, Ukraine's infrastructure has suffered an estimated US$ 63 billion in damage, with towns such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporozhye and Dnipro, where many of PACK TECHNOLOGY Ukraine's suppliers are headquartered, being heavily attacked.

By Type

• Auto-lock Bottom Box
• Straight Tuck Box
• Reverse Tuck Box
• Collapsible Box
• Custom Box
• Others

By Material

• Paperboard
• Corrugated Board
• Plastic
• Others

By End-User

• Food and Beverage
• Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
• Cosmetics and Personal Care
• Electronics
• Retail
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

Key Developments

• In May 2022, Smurfit Kappa, an integrated maker of paper-based packaging materials, announced its acquisition of Atlas Packaging. Atlas Packaging, headquartered in Barnstaple, North Devon, is an independent corrugated packaging firm that has a large market position in UK.
• In April 2022, WestRock Company collaborated with Recipe Unlimited to launch a line of recyclable paperboard packaging that seeks to divert 31 million plastic containers from landfills throughout Canada annually. The package first appeared at Swiss Chalet restaurants in October 2021 and is currently available in all locations.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global folded boxes market segmentation based on type, material, end-user and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of folded boxes market-level with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global folded boxes market report would provide approximately 62 tables, 59 figures and 199 pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies